Newsnight post is cool for Ian Katz

 
16 May 2013

Hats off to Ian Katz, Guardian deputy editor, who has landed the poisoned chalice that is the editorship of BBC2’s Newsnight. He succeeds Peter Rippon, forced out after a report into Jimmy Savile was dropped on his watch. It means Katz forms one half of a formidable power couple — his wife is Mumsnet co-founder Justine Roberts — and he must be the only Newsnight editor to have been immortalised on screen. He is to be played by Dan Stevens in the forthcoming Julian Assange film.

Allegra Stratton, Newsnight’s political editor and ex-Guardian writer, will be delighted. It was thought she was not in favour of rival candidate Robbie Gibb. BBC director-general Tony Hall wanted ex-Newsnight editor Peter Barron but he wouldn’t do it.

How will Katz’s appointment sit with Jeremy Paxman, who complained in evidence to the Pollard enquiry that a previous editor was part of the takeover of news and current affairs by “radio people”? Now the BBC is being taken over by print journalists, with Paxo’s overall boss being James Harding, former editor of the Times.

Katz watches Newsnight and has strong views on its presenters. Last May he tweeted: “Kirsty Wark ridiculous suggesting Tom Baldwin appointment by Ed Miliband analogous to Cameron hiring Coulson”. Watch out, Kirsty.

Guardian insiders say Katz’s departure leaves the way clear for deputy editor Kath Viner to take over the helm if and when Alan Rusbridger decides to step down as editor. She now sends out emails styling herself as “editor-in- chief of Guardian Australia”. The Londoner looks forward to seeing how the Guardian reports Katz’s new job.

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